(a) whether land acquisition process is a major hurdle in the acceleration of road construction in the country ;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to enact suitable legislation to ease the process of land acquisition in consultation with State Governments;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 547 FOR ANSWER ON 04.5.2005 ASKED BY SHRI SUBODH MOHITE AND SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH REGARDING `LAND ACQUISITION FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION`.
(a) and (b) Land acquisition is one of the main causes of delay in execution of the road construction projects. The major problem in the land acquisition during the implementation of Golden Quadrilateral Project was faced in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The delays are mainly due to delay in nomination of Competent Authority in accordance with the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956 by the State Governments, not devoting sufficient time by the Competent Authority, frequent transfers of the Competent Authority, delay in valuation of structures and assets, not updation of revenue records causing delay in joint verification, delay in issuance of notification for land acquisition etc.
(c) to (e) No, Sir. The National Highways Act, 1956 already exists for acquiring land for the development of National Highways.